Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;cheeky pirate&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Cheeky Pirate’, characterized by its broadly upright plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; reddish purple-colored flowers with darker reddish purple-colored labellum and light pale purple-colored petal and sepal margin edges; and good postproduction longevity.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Phalaenopsis Plants

Inventor: René Schoone

Filed: Apr. 6, 2022

Ser. No. 63/328,154

Inventor and Applicant/Assignee hereby claims the benefit of thisprovisional U.S. Patent Application.

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application,Floricultura B.V. of Heemskerk, The Netherlands on Mar. 25, 2022,application number 2022/0797. Foreign priority is not claimed to thisapplication.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘CHEEKY PIRATE’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Cheeky Pirate’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Assendelft and Heemskerk, The Netherlands.The objective of the breeding program is to develop new fast-growing andfreely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and flowerswith unique and attractive patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination inSeptember, 2010 in Assendelft, The Netherlands of Phalaenopsis hybrida‘Gypsy Queen’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,509, as the female,or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybridaidentified as code number 50M0323, not patented, as the male, or pollen,parent. The new Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by theInventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of thestated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment inHeemskerk, The Netherlands in June, 2018.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristempropagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlandssince June, 2019 has shown that the unique features of this newPhalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Cheeky Pirate’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘Cheeky Pirate’ as a new and distinctPhalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Broadly upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Strong flowering stems.    -   4. Strong leaves.    -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per        plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.    -   6. Reddish purple-colored flowers with darker reddish        purple-colored labellum and light pale purple-colored petal and        sepal margin edges.    -   7. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the femaleparent, ‘Gypsy Queen’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Gypsy Queen’ in flower color as flowers of plants of thenew Phalaenopsis have much less netting and stripes compared to flowersof plants of ‘Gypsy Queen’.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the maleparent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily fromplants of the male parent selection in flower color as flowers of plantsof the new Phalaenopsis have a small amount of netting and stripeswhereas flowers of plants of the male parent selection do not have anynetting or stripes.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsishybrida ‘Time Bandit’, disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent applicationSer. No. 63/430,035. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the newPhalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Time Bandit’ in flowercolor as flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis have a small amountof netting and stripes whereas flowers of plants of ‘Time Bandit’ do nothave any netting or stripes. In addition, petals of plants of the newPhalaenopsis are “touching” (imbricate) whereas petals of plants of‘Time Bandit’ are “free” (not imbricate).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 ) is a side perspective viewof a typical flowering plant of ‘Cheeky Pirate’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2 ) is a close-up view oftypical flowers of ‘Cheeky Pirate’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the late summer in 10.5-cmcontainers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlandsand under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsisproduction. Plants were 18 months old when the photographs anddescription were taken. During the first twelve months of production ofthe plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27C. During the finalsix months of production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20Cto 22C and night temperatures ranged from 18C to 20C. During theproduction of the plants, light levels ranged from a minimum of 5,000lux to a maximum of 10,000 lux. In the following description, colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart,2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Cheeky Pirate’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Gypsy Queen’,            disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,509.        -   Male parent.—Proprietary breeding selection of Phalaenopsis            hybrida identified as code number 50M0323, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks            at temperatures about 28C to 30C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and            winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28C to            30C.        -   Root description.—Thin, fibrous; typically light yellowish            white in color; actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate            temperature and age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; broadly            upright plant habit with typically two inflorescences per            plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;            moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About            19.8 cm.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of            inflorescences.—About 41.9 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 27.3 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about            five leaves per plant.        -   Length.—About 20.6 cm.        -   Width.—About 7 cm.        -   Aspect.—Upright to outwardly arching.        -   Shape.—Narrowly obovate to oblanceolate; slightly carinate.        -   Apex.—Unequal obtuse to unequal and broadly acute.        -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: About 1.9 cm. Sheath width:            About 1.4 cm. Sheath color: Close to 143C; towards the            margins, tinged with close to 176B.        -   Margin.—Entire; not undulate.        -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,            glabrous; slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A; towards the            margins and along the midvein, tinged with close to N186C.            Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137B;            venation, close to 147A. Fully expanded leaves, lower            surface: Close to 146A to 146B; towards the margins, tinged            with close to N186C; venation, close to 144A.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers            arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two            inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with about nine            flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching inflorescences            supported by upright peduncles; flowers with three petals,            two lateral petals and one center petal transformed into a            labellum and three sepals.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months            after planting; plants flower naturally during the winter            into the spring.        -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers            maintain good substance for about ten weeks on the plant;            flowers not persistent.        -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence            apex).—About 29.4 cm.        -   Inflorescence width.—About 14.8 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2.2 cm. Diameter: About 1.7 cm by            1.9 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Slightly darker than            N77A; towards the base, tinged with close to 177C to 177D.        -   Flower size.—About 7.6 cm (vertical) by 9.7 cm (horizontal).        -   Flower depth.—About 3.2 cm.        -   Lateral petals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, two lateral            petals and one center petal transformed into a labellum.            Length: About 4.6 cm. Width: About 6.2 cm. Shape: Roughly            reniform. Apex: Obtuse to broadly and shallowly retuse.            Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color: When            opening, upper surface: Slightly darker than N78A; towards            the base, close to N78A to a blend of N78A to N78B; at the            base, slightly darker than N78A; sparse and fine central            dots, close to 76C. When opening, lower surface: Close to            N78B to slightly darker towards the margins; towards the            base, close to N75A; venation, close to N78A and N78B. Fully            opened, upper surface: Close to a blend of N78A and NN78A;            towards the base, close to N78B; at the base, close to            NN78A; narrow margin edges, close to 76C; sparse to moderate            and fine central dots, close to 76C; venation, close to            N78A; color does not change with subsequent development.            Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N78C; towards the            base, close to N8OB to N80C; narrow margin edges, close to            76C; venation, close to N78B; color does not change with            subsequent development.        -   Labella.—Appearance: Three-parted with two lateral lobes and            a central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 2.3 cm. Width,            lateral lobes: About 1.6 cm. Length, central lobe: About            2.4 cm. Width, central lobe: About 8 mm to 20 mm. Length,            cirrose tips: About 1.2 cm. Shape, lateral lobes: Obovate.            Shape, central lobe: Deltoid with a slightly elongated apex.            Apex, lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central lobe: Cleft with            two recurved cirrose apices. Margins, lateral and central            lobes: Entire. Texture and luster, lateral and central            lobes, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous,            moderately velvety; matte. Callosities: Located at the base            of the labellum and attachment point of the lateral petals;            about 6 mm in length, about 7 mm in width and about 3 mm in            height. Color: When opening, upper surface: Lateral lobes:            Close to N79C; upper margin edges, close to 157A; towards            the base, stripes, close to N155A. Central lobe: Close to a            blend of NN78A and N79C; towards the base, close to N79C; at            the base, close to 75B and 75C; radial stripes, close to            N79C; cirrose apices, close to N79C. Callosities: Close to            12B to 12C with fine dots, close to 187C. When opening,            lower surface: Lateral lobes: Upper half, close to N79C and            lower half, close to 156C. Central lobe: Close to NN78A;            towards the margins, apex and cirrose apices, close to N79C;            center, close to 76A; at the base, close to N155A. Fully            opened, upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to N78A; towards            the base, close to N79C; upper margin edges, close to 79D;            towards the base, stripes, close to N155A slightly tinged            with close to 12B. Central lobe: Close to NN78A; at the wide            parts of the base, close to 164A; at the base, close to 75B            and 75C; radial stripes, close to N79C; cirrose apices,            close to a blend of NN78A and N79C. Callosities: Close to            12B and 21A with fine dots, close to 187C. Fully opened,            lower surface: Lateral lobes: Center, close to N78A; above            the center, close to N79C and below the center, close to            156C. Central lobe: Close to NN78A; towards the margins,            apex and cirrose apices, close to N79C; center, close to            76A; at the wide parts of the base, close to 164C and at the            base, close to N155A.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, one upper dorsal            sepal and two lower lateral sepals. Length, dorsal and            lateral sepals: About 4.6 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About            3.7 cm. Width, lateral sepal: About 3.1 cm. Shape, dorsal            sepal: Broadly elliptic. Shape, lateral sepals: Ovate. Apex,            dorsal sepal: Obtuse to broadly and bluntly acute. Apex,            lateral sepals: Broadly and bluntly acute. Base, dorsal and            lateral sepals: Truncate. Margin, dorsal and lateral sepals:            Entire. Texture and luster, dorsal and lateral sepals, upper            and lateral surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, moderately velvety;            matte. Color, dorsal sepal: When opening, upper surface:            Close to N78A to slightly darker than N78A; venation, close            to N79C; moderate and fine dots, close to 76C. When opening,            lower surface: Close to a blend of N77B and 186B; venation,            close to N79D; moderate and fine dots, close to 76C. Fully            opened, upper surface: Close to N78A; towards the margins,            close to N78B to N78C; marginal edges, close to 76C; at the            base, close to a blend of N78A and N79C; venation, slightly            darker than N78A; moderate and fine dots, close to 76C.            Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N78C; towards the            base, close to N78D; venation, close to N78A to N78B;            moderate and fine dots, close to 76C. Color, lateral sepals:            When opening, upper surface: Close to a blend of N78A and            N79C; center, close to N78B; at the base, close to 145D;            venation, close to N79C; dense and fine dots, close to 76D.            When opening, lower surface: Close to a blend of 182D and            196B; venation, close to N77B. Fully opened, upper surface:            Close to N78A; center, close to N78B; at the base, close to            145D; narrow margin edge, close to 76C; venation, close to a            blend of N78A and N79C; dense and fine dots, close to 76D.            Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N78D; at the base,            tinged with close to 145C; venation, close to NN78A;            moderate and fine dots, close to 76C.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 54.9 cm. Diameter: About 5.5 mm.            Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly arching.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to            a blend of 197A and N200A; densely covered with fine dots            and marbling, close to 148B.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.5 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 70 degrees from            peduncle axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte.            Color: Close to N148D; proximally, strongly tinged with            close to 177B; distally, close to 157D and slightly tinged            with close to 75C.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 9 mm.            Column width: About 6 mm. Column color: Close to N78A and            N78B. Pollinia quantity: Two. Pollinia diameter (per two            pollinia): About 2 mm. Pollinia color: Close to 25A.            Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 3.5 mm. Stigma width: About            5 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma color: Close to N155A.            Ovary length: About 6 mm. Ovary diameter: About 1 mm. Ovary            color: Close to 150C. Seeds and fruits: To date, seed and            fruit development have not been observed on plants of the            new Phalaenopsis.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis    have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been    observed to tolerate high temperatures about 40C. and are suitable    for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘CheekyPirate’ as illustrated and described.